Every active process a computer performs requires computer resources and potentially slows your computer. When this is your business computer, that speed degradation slows productivity and costs you money. Removing these processes can be done one of three ways. Ending a process in Task Manager stops the process for your current session only. Using System Configuration stops the process from running each time you reboot your system, but allows you to run the program manually. If you don't need the program at all, uninstalling it through Programs and Features will remove it for good.

Task Manager

Press "Ctrl-Shift-Esc" to open the Task Manager.

Click the "Processes" tab.

Right-click any active process and select "End Process."

Click "End Process" again in the confirmation window. Some processes, such as vital Windows processes, cannot be ended this way.

System Configuration

Press "Windows-R" to open the Run window.

Type "msconfig" (without quotes) and press "Enter" to run the System Configuration utility.

Click the "Startup" tab.

Deselect any process you do not want running when you restart your computer.

Click "OK" and choose "Restart."

Programs and Features

Click "Start | Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features."

Right-click any program and select "Uninstall."

Click "Yes" in the confirmation window. Some programs can also be uninstalled by clicking the Uninstall utility from their program folder in the Start menu.